Lucas Oil Modified Series

BY DAVE GRAYSON

The SuperClean Modified Racing Series returns to action this Saturday, August 15th, with their typical high flying, wheel to wheel, racing action. Round five of the 2009 schedule will find the teams returning to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's three eighths of a mile oval known as "The Bullring" for the running of the Hoosier Tire West 75.

The series' teams have hit a fever pitch of excitement over the thought of returning to "the Bullring" because its size, and sweeping turns, allows for faster speeds and plenty of room for passing.

But the really big issues, connected to the Hoosier Tire West 75, is: will there finally be a tie breaker in the win column? So far, in four races, there has been four different series winners. That competitive diversity in turn has created a skin tight points battle for the series' championship. Going into Saturday night's race the top three in the standings are separated by a mere two points. The gap from first to fifth in the standings is only 22 points.

Andrew Phipps currently leads the SuperClean Modified Racing Series championship standings with 180 points based on one win and a very consistent four top five finishes. The Simi Valley-California driver won the previous race at Las Vegas back on May 16. Phipps is looking forward to a return to Las Vegas. The "bullring's" configuration suits his style of driving and he's expected to be a formidable factor in Saturday night's race.

Second in the series' standings, only two points away from the leader, is a win hungry driver named Jim Mardis. His 178 championship points is based on a very consistent three top finishes and one top ten. Mardis was a major player in the series' previous event, at the Orange Show Speedway, and came very close to scoring that first win following a very close finish. There are quite a few series observers who are saying that it's just a short matter of time before this Riverside-California driver parks his car in victory lane.

Tied for second in the standings is James Cole. His place in the points ranking is based on his first series win, July 11th, at the Orange Show Speedway, along with three top five finishes and one top ten. This San Antonio-Texas based race team showed a great deal of potential during the 2008 season. Many series observers are saying Cole and company is one of the most improved operations in the series and are definitely championship material.

Lake Havasu City-Arizona's Chris Gerchman won the series' season opener, March 28th, at his home track the Havasu 95 Speedway. Since that point he has parlayed the win, three top fives and one top ten into 160 points just 20 markers away from the lead. This is another driver and team that many series observers believe could turn out to be a major player in the championship picture.

Fifth in the standings, and 22 markers from the top, is Tim Morse. The Burbank-California driver started the season at the top of the standings. But that was before a mechanical disaster, at the May 16th Las Vegas race, plummeted him to his present status. Despite the Vegas snake eyes, he still has three top five finishes to account for his 158 points. Morse will be arriving in Las Vegas Saturday night looking for revenge. He said he will be arriving with a fresh motor with plenty of horsepower and looking to get that coveted first series win.

The Hoosier Tire West 75 is going to feature a full field of 22 starters vying for the $1,000 winners check that comes from being the first to cross under the checkers. Enhancing this race is the fact that yellow caution flag laps will not be counted. The fans will get treated to 75 full green flag laps filled with wheel to wheel competition from some of the best modified racing talents from the western states.

In addition to its title sponsor, the SuperClean Modified Racing Series is strongly supported by a highly potent marketing concept known as Team Lucas. Team members include Lucas Oil Products Inc, E3 Spark Plugs, R&L Carriers, Dixie Chopper, General Tire and K&N Performance Filters.

Also playing a major supportive role is a group of series sponsors that includes SuperClean products, Hoosier Tire West, Budweiser, Blue Water Resort and Casino, Sunoco Fuel, Frank's Radio, DJ Safety, Steve Teets of STR-Short Track Race Cars, Polydome Plastic Products and Racing Plus.